Reconfiguration means for a wheelchair

Abstract

Means for reconfiguring a wheelchair are disclosed wherein a user or an occupant of the wheelchair is enabled to repeatably alternate the wheelchair between an original load-bearing configuration and a modified load-bearing configuration by engaging and disengaging a ground-contacting adaptive implement operatively connected to a load transitioning mechanism, said load transitioning mechanism adapted for connection to a forward portion of the wheelchair. Embodiments according to the present invention enable an occupant of the wheelchair to alternate the wheelchair, through a cyclic operation sequence, between the original configuration and the modified configuration by toggling of a manipulable switch and subsequent momentary reclining of the wheelchair. The user willfully effectuates a change in the angular disposition of the ground-contacting adaptive implement relative to the wheelchair about a substantially horizontal joint axis wherein in the modified configuration a deployed angular orientation is maintained under load-bearing conditions during travel of the wheelchair in all directions. Embodiments of the present invention enable wheelchair reconfiguration with simplicity of operation while ensuring rigid attachment of a ground-contacting adaptive implement to the wheelchair to confer special functionalities to the wheelchair while preserving comfort and safety for the user while the wheelchair is in the modified load-bearing configuration.

I claim: 
     
       1. A wheelchair reconfiguration system capable of reversibly deploying a first auxiliary wheel assembly in a predetermined angular orientation relative to a wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising a frame, the frame having left and right opposing lateral portions, the wheelchair further comprising a pair of symmetrically-opposing rear wheels and a pair of symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels for supporting a forward portion of a load carried by the wheelchair while the wheelchair is in an original load-bearing configuration,
 the wheelchair reconfiguration system comprising:
 a) the first auxiliary wheel assembly, capable of supporting the forward portion of the load carried by the wheelchair; 
 b) a first mounting assembly for securing the first auxiliary wheel assembly relative to one of the left and the right opposing lateral portions of the frame of the wheelchair in a forward location relative to the frame of the wheelchair; 
 c) a first cam tensioning assembly comprising a handle and a cam body, the first cam tensioning assembly being capable of: 1.) defining a rotational endpoint, in a first direction of rotation, of the first auxiliary wheel assembly relative to the frame of the wheelchair during deployment of the first auxiliary wheel assembly in the predetermined angular orientation relative to the wheelchair, and 2.) inhibiting relative movement between the first auxiliary wheel assembly and the frame of the wheelchair during deployment of the first auxiliary wheel assembly in the predetermined angular orientation relative to the wheelchair. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 1 , the first mounting assembly comprising a load transitioning mechanism. 
     
     
       3. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 2 , the load transitioning mechanism comprising a control switch, the control switch capable of switchably preparing the load transitioning mechanism for alternating the wheelchair between the original load-bearing configuration and a modified load-bearing configuration, the load transitioning mechanism being capable of maintaining the first auxiliary wheel assembly in the predetermined angular orientation relative to the wheelchair while the wheelchair is in the modified load-bearing configuration. 
     
     
       4. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 1 , the first cam tensioning assembly being configured to selectably assume a first orientation which substantially inhibits relative movement between the first auxiliary wheel assembly and the wheelchair during deployment of the first auxiliary wheel assembly in the predetermined angular orientation relative to the wheelchair, the first cam tensioning assembly being further configured to selectably assume a second orientation which substantially permits relative movement between the first auxiliary wheel assembly and the wheelchair. 
     
     
       5. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 1 , the first cam tensioning assembly being configured to selectably engage with the frame of the wheelchair wherein engagement of the first cam tensioning assembly with the frame of the wheelchair substantially inhibits relative movement in the first direction of rotation between the first auxiliary wheel assembly and the frame of the wheelchair during deployment, and wherein disengagement of the first cam tensioning assembly from the frame of the wheelchair substantially permits relative movement in the first direction of rotation between the first auxiliary wheel assembly and the frame of the wheelchair. 
     
     
       6. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 1 , wherein deployment of the first auxiliary wheel assembly is effectuated simultaneously with deployment of a second auxiliary wheel assembly, and wherein disengagement of the first auxiliary wheel assembly is effectuated simultaneously with disengagement of the second auxiliary wheel assembly. 
     
     
       7. A wheelchair reconfiguration system capable of deploying a pair of auxiliary wheel assemblies in a predetermined angular orientation relative to a wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising a frame, the frame having left and right opposing lateral portions, the wheelchair further comprising a pair of symmetrically-opposing rear wheels and a pair of symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels for supporting a forward portion of a load carried by the wheelchair while the wheelchair is in an original load-bearing configuration,
 the wheelchair reconfiguration system comprising:
 a) the pair of auxiliary wheel assemblies, capable of supporting the forward portion of the load carried by the wheelchair; 
 b) a pair of mounting assemblies, adapted to couple with the pair of auxiliary wheel assemblies for securing to the left and the right opposing lateral portions of the frame of the wheelchair in a forward location relative to the frame of the wheelchair, and 
 c) a pair of tensioning assemblies, each comprising a handle and a rotatable body, each one of the tensioning assemblies being capable of: 1.) defining a rotational endpoint, in a first direction of rotation, of one of the pair of auxiliary wheel assemblies relative to the frame of the wheelchair during deployment of the pair of auxiliary wheel assemblies in the predetermined angular orientation relative to the wheelchair, and 2.) inhibiting relative movement between one of the pair of auxiliary wheel assemblies and the frame of the wheelchair during deployment of the pair of auxiliary wheel assemblies in the predetermined angular orientation relative to the wheelchair. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 7 , each one of the pair of tensioning assemblies being capable of cam action for applying counter-pressure, wherein union of each one of the pair of auxiliary wheel assemblies with the wheelchair becomes substantially rigidized. 
     
     
       9. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 7 , each one of the pair of mounting assemblies comprising a load transitioning mechanism, each load transitioning mechanism being capable of maintaining one of the pair of auxiliary wheel assemblies in the predetermined angular orientation relative to the wheelchair while the wheelchair is in the modified load-bearing configuration. 
     
     
       10. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 9 , each load transitioning mechanism comprising a control switch, the control switch being capable of switchably preparing the load transitioning mechanism for alternating the wheelchair between the original load-bearing configuration and a modified load-bearing configuration, each load transitioning mechanism being capable of maintaining one of the pair of auxiliary wheel assemblies in the predetermined angular orientation relative to the wheelchair while the wheelchair is in the modified load-bearing configuration. 
     
     
       11. A wheelchair reconfiguration system for securing a first auxiliary wheel assembly in a predetermined position relative to a wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising a frame, the frame having left and right opposing lateral portions, the wheelchair further comprising a pair of symmetrically-opposing rear wheels, the wheelchair further comprising a pair of symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels for supporting a forward portion of a load carried by the wheelchair while the wheelchair is maintained in an original load-bearing configuration, the wheelchair reconfiguration system comprising a mounting assembly capable of connecting the first auxiliary wheel assembly to a first one of the left and right opposing lateral portions of the frame of the wheelchair, the wheelchair reconfiguration system further comprising a first tensioning assembly comprising a first rotatable body, the first rotatable body capable of defining a first rotational endpoint of the first auxiliary wheel assembly in a downward direction of rotation, the first rotatable body being capable of rotation relative to the first auxiliary wheel assembly to assume a first orientation,
 wherein, having the first auxiliary wheel assembly deployed in the predetermined position relative to the wheelchair and rotating the first rotatable body towards the first orientation, relative movement between the first auxiliary wheel assembly and the wheelchair is inhibited. 
 
     
     
       12. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 11 , the mounting assembly comprising a load transitioning mechanism, the load transitioning mechanism comprising a control switch capable of being toggled to switchably prepare the wheelchair for transitioning between the original load-bearing configuration and a modified load-bearing configuration. 
     
     
       13. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 11 , the first rotatable body being further capable of rotation relative to the first auxiliary wheel assembly to assume a second orientation,
 wherein, having the first auxiliary wheel assembly deployed in the predetermined position relative to the wheelchair and rotating the first rotatable body towards the second orientation, relative movement between the first auxiliary wheel assembly and the wheelchair is permitted. 
 
     
     
       14. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 11 , the first rotatable body being capable of cam action to enable selectable tensioning upon deploying the first auxiliary wheel assembly to secure the first rotatable body in the first orientation. 
     
     
       15. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 11 , further comprising a first handle unified with the first rotatable body, the first handle being adapted to facilitate rotation of the first rotatable body. 
     
     
       16. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 11 , the first rotatable body being capable of selectable engagement with the frame of the wheelchair. 
     
     
       17. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 11 , further comprising a second tensioning assembly comprising a second rotatable body, the second rotatable body capable of defining a second rotational endpoint of a second auxiliary wheel assembly in the downward direction of rotation, the second rotatable body being further capable of rotation relative to the second auxiliary wheel assembly. 
     
     
       18. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 17 , the second rotational endpoint of the second auxiliary wheel assembly being substantially the same as the first rotational endpoint of the first auxiliary wheel assembly. 
     
     
       19. The wheelchair reconfiguration system of  claim 11  comprising at least one adaptive implement.